University of Minnesota Staff Member Charged With Prostitution

Rochester, MN (KROC AM News) – A criminal case has been filed against a University of Minnesota staff member who was arrested on a prostitution charge in Rochester earlier this year.

Police say at the time of his arrest, he told officers he was “doing research.”

Police say 36-year-old Solen Feyissa responded to a bogus online ad posted by the RPD vice unit and made arrangements to meet at a hotel March 20th. When he found out the person he was meeting was actually a police officer, Feyissa reportedly said he wanted to learn about prostitutes. He told the officer, “I was just curious on how their lives are lived.” The officer’s report indicates Feyissa was seeking sex from a prostitute, not research.

A gross misdemeanor prostitution-related charge was filed against Feyissa Thursday. He was ordered to make his first court appearance on August 1st.

According to the University of Minnesota, Feyissa is employed as an Instructional Designer and works at the School of Public Health Office of E-Learning in Minneapolis.